26 October 2012

Things I'm Loving 26.10.12



I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.

The Naki in Instagram 
From the Instagram archives on our trip a couple of week's back. Loving the ease of capturing moments of life without always having to have the big DSLR slung my neck!

We were loving: pre-flight treats at Donut King, a surprise from Fly Buys - a wall of gobstoppers at Wellington Airport and if you swiped your Flybuys one would come down the chute, boys loving hopskotch, light filtering through trees, a very marmalade bush, beautiful lake at Pukekura Park, coffee and muffins at Elixir, and my gorgeous mountain coming out to say hello!



Magnetic nail polish
Last week I discovered an amazing new concept - magnetic nail polish. It's hard to describe but the video below shows a good illustration of how it works. Basically, you paint 1 coat, wait for it to dry, paint another coat and then immediately after finishing the 2nd coat, you hold the magnetic strip contained in the top of the lid near your nail and you get this funky nail salon-worthy effect.


The Sally Hansen range at Farmers has some cool metallic colours - I branched out and went for electric emerald. You like?


Just don't look too closely at how well I managed (not) to stay on the nail with my paint job!

Super foods
So in recent times, I've been on a bit of a up and down journey with my health as you know. On the whole I have been feeling better eating gluten free but still not really back to my old self. But lately, what's been helping more are what I call my super Super Foods. A teaspoon each of black sesame seeds and LSA (linseed, sunflower, almond) sprinkled on my breakfast each morning. Banana, berry and spirulina smoothies a few days a week either for breakfast or after dinner in the evening.



I have felt better these past few weeks than I had been feeling for months, and I'm now not having to take the additional fibre/laxative supplement I was before starting on the seeds for breakfast which is a great leap forward in my opinion. Long may it continue!

The discreet charm of a country Christmas awaits
On Sunday I'm heading up the coast an hour to enjoy a day of delectable food and entertainment at Ruth Pretty's Christmas Cooking Class. Because I've been fortunate enough to go before, I know what an amazing time awaits me. Squee, I can't wait! Here's what I've got to look forward to!


The Discreet Charm of a Country Christmas
The Discreet Charm of a Country Christmas With Ruth Pretty 


Ah, nostalgia ... it’s not what it used to be. In reflective mood, Ruth is taking a ‘down home in the countryside’ look at Christmas this year, creating some of those ‘funny, familiar, forgotten feelings’ of yesteryear, within today’s contemporary setting.
The global trend of artisan foods, telling the stories of the food we eat and who produces it, has always been part of Ruth’s own culinary story, alongside her own piece of beautiful and productive countryside.
She says "Christmas is all about stories: from the very first Christmas to family tales re-told over the table and supplemented by new stories shared as the clan expands. As much as the food, this is what people remember and treasure from Christmases past”. But these are modern times, so Ruth is creating a Christmas feast with one nostalgic eye to the past and the other in the practical here and now. She shares advance prep ideas and techniques while telling her own Christmas food stories.





















Love Bombs: The Latest
Remember that cookie drop back in September? Well the latest round of Love Bombs are in progress, and I for one, knew I didn't want to miss out on being part of the blessing to the ladies who have been nominated. Last weekend I visited Spotlight, found me some just right for the job spice jars, rustled up some sweet orange sugar scrub to go in them and also made up some cutie-pie snowmen cards, all the while praying that when these unexpected gifts arrive in these wonderful womens' hands, they will be the blessing and encouragement that is needed.



And it's not too late if you want to get involved, find out how here.

Operation Christmas Child
Inspired by Miriam and Ange's recent posts on Operation Christmas Child, and having been in the zone last weekend creating Love Bomb gifts, I decided to rustle up 2 boxes for Operation Christmas Child too. I'd supported this great cause a few years back, and it really is a lovely way to bring joy to children in less fortunate parts of the world. The basic premise is that you pack a shoe box full of a variety of gifts for a child in different categories like (something to love, something for school, something to wear, something to play with, something for personal hygiene etc)


It's a great way to introduce your kids to the idea of giving to those less fortunate than us, and you can even track what country your box will end up going to through the website too. You have till the end of October if you still want to be involved. Here's a list of all the drop-off points in Australia and NZ here.


 It truly is blessed to be a blessing, and more blessed to give than to receive.

And that my friends is that. Happy Friday to you all!

P.s. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for Blue Gnu here. Entries close Tuesday.

Here's how you can join in this week:

Link up below with your blog post telling us what you're loving, and grab the Things I'm Loving button below for your post too. Don't forget to share the love by visiting all the other lovelies who have joined in - the linky is open till same time next week!










6 comments :

Ange - Tall, Short and Tiny said...

Love the nails, love the Love Bomb stuff, love that you're feeling better! Have a great weekend xx

Lien - all new adventures said...

Super foods you listed really are super/amazing/awesome nature's goodness. Smoothies - I've been doing those for breakfast most days when I have time and it really sets me up for the day.

Your post exudes so much kindness - really lovely.

Simoney said...

you are so onto it!!! I am in awe
x

Bron said...

My 13 year old would love that nail polish....
Have a fabulous time at your Cooking class and great job with the shoeboxes...it is such a great cause that we too participate in.
Have a lovely weekend. xxx

Anonymous said...

aww this is a great post LOVE the nail polish I have been thinking of trying the metallic stuff...might just have to give it a go. Really love the operation Christmas thingy, I remember seeing it last year, wonder if I can rustle something up before the end of the month.

Catching the Magic said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better and your nails look amazing with that fun polish. Have a wonderful time at Ruth Pretty's cooking thing-a-ma-jig - I always enjoy your beautiful photographs of that amazing event.

Great instagram pics from your time away too.

Hope you're having a good weekend,

Sarah x

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